Sunday, January 15, 2012

5 Hollywood beauty tricks

1. Browlift or facelift for a day, as seen on Jennifer Aniston. Take a small hidden section of hair just above your ears and braid with tension. Secure tightly with small bobby pins by pulling up and back again. This creates a subtle temporary lift. Use small snag-free elastics and bobby pins that best match your hair colour.2. Oily hair creeping up on your ‘do? Fine or tonged hair falling flat? Give your hair structure, as seen on Julianne Moore, by adding a little eco-friendly spray starch prior to heat styling – yes, the one you iron your clothes with! Use only starch that says vegan/eco-friendly, generally these will have potato or corn starch with water and no other added ingredients for non-toxic ingredients Or use Redken Spray Starch 15.

Spray evenly on damp or dry hair before heat styling (tongs, flat irons and blow-drying). For best results, spray section by section and comb through with a wide-tooth comb for even distribution. Starch helps to minimize oil as well as acts as a base for longer-lasting hairstyles. Since it will not fix a style in place you still need to use a hairspray to hold your style in place.

3. Create a flawless complexion, as seen on Natalie Portman. Start by using a silicone-based foundation primer. Silicone is a non-toxic ingredient that smoothes out uneven textures on the skin’s surface. It creates a longer-lasting base that neither creases nor looks cakey. Face powders can fall into creases or skin imperfections only to emphasize them. Silicone-based primers create a cushion between makeup and skin allowing for a longer-lasting and smoother air-brushed quality finish. Try RMK Make Up Base.

4. Red carpet glow. Skin illuminators aka the J-Lo Glow not only glam up your look but add a slight diffusion. It brightens up your skin and softens any fine lines to help you look rested as well as take the years off. Try Julie Hewett’s Shimmy All Over Face & Body Shimmer in Goldie on your cheekbones, brow arch and décolletage.

5. Broken uneven nails? Jazz up your hands, as seen on Fergie. Get a pack of nails and nail glue from Daiso – yup, the dollar store! If you have the time, shape and paint nails (if needed) the night before. Then pop them onto your nails as a finishing touch to your outfit.

Trick to prep nails: Glue freshly shaped nails to the blunt end of a toothpick. Then with the sharp end, stick them into a craft Styrofoam base for a secure hands-free way to paint and design your nails.